Iya Gbonkan biography: name, age, husband and family

 Who is Iya Gbonkan?

Iya Gbonkan, whose real name is Margaret Bandele Olayinka, is a veteran Nigerian actress known popularly for her role interpretations and scary facial expressions. She was born on September 14, 1958 in Otu, Itesiwaju Local Government Area of Oyo State, making her 64 years old as of 2022. Iya Gbonkan started her acting career in the early 1980s and has since featured in over 200 Yoruba movies, cementing her status as a legend in the Nigerian movie industry.

Iya Gbonkan’s Early Life and Background

Iya Gbonkan hails from a family of seven children. Her childhood was troubled as she had to endure a lot of maltreatment from relatives of her late father. After the death of her father, Iya Gbonkan could no longer bear the emotional and physical abuse from her paternal relatives. At a very young age, she fled her hometown in Oyo State and came to Ibadan in search of greener pastures.

In Ibadan, the teenage Iya Gbonkan worked as a house help for many years to earn a living and cater for herself. It was during this period that her acting skills were discovered by a chance encounter. While working as a nanny, the production crew of a Yoruba movie series needed extras and happened to come across Iya Gbonkan. They were impressed by her natural flair for acting and facial expression and hired her for a role. This marked the beginning of Iya Gbonkan’s journey into the movie industry.

Table 1 – Summary of Iya Gbonkan’s Early Career Milestones

| Year | Milestone |
|-|-|
| Early 1980s | Made acting debut in Yoruba movies as an extra |
| Mid 1980s | Started getting notable role interpretations that brought her fame |
| Late 1980s | Became a regular cast member in numerous movie productions|
| Early 1990s | Featured in her breakout role in the movie “Arelu” cementing cult status|
| Mid 1990s | Regarded as one of Nollywood’s pioneering actresses |

Rise to Prominence in the 1990s

The 1990s decade became Iya Gbonkan’s most prominent period in the movie industry. She featured in several successful movies that garnered widespread acclaim for her role interpretations. However, the role that truly broke her into the big league was in the 1992 movie “Arelu” where she played a wicked witch. Iya Gbonkan brought such depth and aura of fear to the character with her scary facial expressions and demeanor that the movie became an instant classic.

Her fanbase grew exponentially after “Arelu” and other movies like “Agogo Eewo”, “Ogbori America”, “Arapareketan” further cemented her status as a cult figure among fans. Iya Gbonkan’s unique style of acting which involved making her facial expressions do all the talking became highly influenced. Producers constantly sought her out for villain roles due to her prowess in them. By mid-1990s, she had come to represent the early pillars of Nollywood alongside contemporaries like Adebayo Salami, Idowu Philips, Sadiat Fawaz and many others.

Family Life and Personal Challenges

Aside from her thriving career in movies, Iya Gbonkan has also had to weather personal challenges in her private life. In an interview, she revealed leaving her hometown at a tender age due to domestic troubles shaped her tough personality. In 1981, Iya Gbonkan got married to her husband, Yekini, with whom she had twin daughters. However, tragedy struck in 2001 when her husband passed away, leaving her to cater for their daughters as a single mother.

Raising her children as a widow in Nigeria wasn’t easy financially and emotionally. She often praised her daughters for being supportive during difficult times. Iya Gbonkan also had her fair share of health issues over the years, including being diagnosed with diabetes. Juggling career and family as a widowed mother was certainly no easy feat. However, Iya Gbonkan’s resilience and strong personality helped her overcome such hurdles. She now lives in Lagos with her daughters and grandchildren.

Table 2 – Iya Gbonkan’s Marital and Family Background

| Detail | Description|
|-|-|
| Husband | Late Yekini Olayinka |
| Marriage Year | 1981 |
| Children | Twin daughters |
| Widowhood | Lost husband in 2001 |
| Current Residence | Lagos with daughters an grandchildren|
| Health Issues | Diagnosed with diabetes|

Sustaining Relevance in the Digital Age

Despite being active in the movie industry since the 1980s, Iya Gbonkan has shown admirable adaptability and maintained relevance even in today’s digital era. After effectively using her cult status to produce movies in the 2000s, she embraced social media platforms like Instagram in recent years. Iya Gbonkan leverages platforms like Instagram and YouTube to keep in touch with her fanbase, many of whom are millennials and Gen Z.

She has over 63,000 followers on Instagram where she shares snippets from her daily life, upcoming projects and messages of inspiration. Iya Gbonkan has proven that age is no barrier, as she understands social media engagement is vital for any celebrity today. Some of her posts generate thousands of likes and comments, a testament to her cross-generational appeal. Iya Gbonkan also features in interviews and reviews posted on YouTube, helping introduce her to younger audiences.

Continued Success and Industry Recognition

Apart from being a trailblazer of Nigerian cinema, Iya Gbonkan has also racked up numerous achievements and accolades over the decades. She has featured in over 200 movies, produced about 20 films herself and won several Best Supporting Actress awards. In 2007, Iya Gbonkan was honored with a Culture Icon Award by the Oyo State government for her immense contribution to the Yoruba movie industry.

The veteran actress is still very much in demand today, featuring prominently in movies and television shows. Recent projects she has been part of include 2019’s “Ewu Ofe”, 2020’s “Olori Igbagbo” and 2023’s “Ronke Keke.” Iya Gbonkan continues to deliver compelling performances that showcase her unmatched actinal talent and scene-stealing abilities years after venturing into the profession. She is held in the highest regard by both peers and fans as the doyenne of Nigerian cinema.

Charitable Works and Humanitarianism

Aside from her career accomplishments, Iya Gbonkan has also used her platform for the good of society. She actively participates in charitable initiatives especially those focused on empowering less privileged members of the society. Some of the causes Iya Gbonkan supports include:

– Donating relief materials and funds to orphanages and homes for the elderly on special occasions.

– Mentoring and training up-and-coming aspiring actors through her foundation.

– Rallying industry colleagues to support medical bills of ailing veterans through fundraisers.

– Serving as an ambassador for various non-profit organizations tackling issues like poverty alleviation and girl-child education.

Iya Gbonkan strongly believes fame and wealth should be used to better the lives of others. She aims to sustain these humanitarian efforts throughout her career as a way of “giving back” to society. This softer side of the veteran actress is widely admired by her fans and the public.

Inspiration to Younger Generations

At 65 years old, Iya Gbonkan remains a revered icon in the Nigerian creative industry. However, her influence also extends beyond just the entertainment world. The actress is looked up to by many, especially younger generations as a role model due to her rise from humble beginnings coupled with resilience and hard work.

Iya Gbonkan’s journey from facing family troubles and becoming a house help to rising to the top of her career field against all odds is truly inspiring. She proves that with focus and determination, success is achievable regardless of background or gender. Iya Gbonkan inspires up-and-coming thespians and every dreaming young Nigerian to never give up on their ambitions.

Her active lifestyle on social media at an old age also conveys the message of self-actualization and breaking stereotypes to her far younger followers. Undoubtedly, Iya Gbonkan will always remain a symbol of strength, success and inspiration for as long as the creative arts thrive in Africa. New generations of talents will look to her as the standard of excellence long into the future.

In summary, Iya Gbonkan has cemented her place as a true legend in the Nigerian entertainment industry with over four decades of incredible contributions. Her journey from humble beginnings to becoming one of Nollywood’s most celebrated faces against all odds serves as an inspiration. Even at an old age, Iya Gbonkan continues dazzling fans with new projects while also unleashing her entrepreneurial and humanitarian sides. She remains a revered icon and role model for thousands who look up to her resilience and success.